In an emailed statement, the Canadian government said: “The Government’s first priority is the safety and security of its citizens and therefore we will not comment or release any information which may compromise ongoing efforts or endanger the safety of the remaining hostages.”

The new video featuring Hall ends with the masked terrorists screaming “Alahu Akhbar,” while thrusting a machete into the air.

“We say to the governments of Canada and the Philippines not to play games, for we are determined to slaughter all the captives if you do not comply with our demands,” the man says, reading from a smartphone screen. “We are not scared of you or your soldiers or airplanes.”

Robert Hall in the New Abu Sayyaf video released this past week.

The video shows Mr Hall and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad clad in orange coveralls, similar to those worn in videos of Islamic State (IS) beheadings in the Middle East.

The Philippines government often says that the Abu Sayyaf are not part of IS, yet their flags and now their mimicking orange suits suggest an allegiance to the group.

Mr Hall, a Calgary native, was an insurance salesman – he also ran a welding shop and acted in several independent films. He sold everything in 2014, bought a 36-foot sailboat and sailed the Pacific.

He settled in the Philippines after meeting his girlfriend Maritess Flor, also a captive with the group, and the only Filipino from the Samal Island kidnappings.

The Philippines military has stepped up operations in the area of Jolo, trying to decimate the Abu Sayyaf Group, however recent attempts have been futile and freeing the three remaining hostages appears to be ineffective.